The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has launched a scathing attack on the state government, accusing it of acting out of fear by abruptly curtailing the Odisha Legislative Assembly session four days ahead of schedule.
The decision comes in the wake of mounting pressure and a massive public turnout at the party’s recent mass demonstration at Lower PMG, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the amended MMDR (Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation) Act.
Addressing a press meet at Shankha Bhavan today, senior BJD leaders—including MLA and former minister Dr Arun Kumar Sahoo, former minister Tukuni Sahoo, spokesperson Dr Lenin Mohanty, Biju Yuva Janata Dal President Chinmay Kumar Sahoo, and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal President Ipsita Sahu—slammed the ruling dispensation for dodging legislative debate on a crucial state interest issue.
The Core Controversy: MMDR Act Losses
The BJD has maintained from day one that the amended MMDR Act will deal a severe economic blow to Odisha. According to the party, the state stands to suffer an estimated loss of INR 1 lakh crore in pending mining dues alongside an annual revenue loss of approximately INR 12,000 crores. While opposition parties echo these concerns, the ruling BJP maintains that the amendment will benefit the state rather than harm it.
The political standoff intensified when the BJD moved a motion in the Assembly for a comprehensive discussion on the matter. However, the ruling party showed little interest in taking up the debate. The BJD even challenged the government to bring a motion thanking the Centre if they genuinely believed the law was beneficial, offering to debate it on those terms. When those proposals were allegedly ignored, the opposition took its grievances directly to the streets.
Massive Public Backing and Future Agitations
Monday’s massive protest rally at Lower PMG drew immense public participation, which the BJD leaders claim spooked the administration into closing the Assembly prematurely. Expressing profound gratitude to the people of Odisha for the overwhelming support, the BJD leadership vowed that silencing the House will not silence their voice.
“Running the Assembly is the fundamental responsibility of the government, which they have shirked,” the leaders stated. Declaring that the fight is far from over, the BJD announced plans to take the MMDR Act repeal movement to every corner of the state through intensive statewide agitations under the guidance of party president Naveen Patnaik.
